Hospice happy with provincial budget

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The Ontario Government recently announced $75 million in new funding over the next three years in community palliative care and residential hospices as part of the Ontario Budget 2016.

Hospice officials say this is great news for Chatham-Kent Hospice and our community.

“Wonderful that the Ontario Government is recognizing and investing further into the important work of Chatham-Kent Hospice and community hospice palliative care. Thank you to Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) for working with the government to finalize the details. We are looking forward to hearing more on this in future days and weeks” states Jennifer Wilson, chair of the Chatham-Kent Hospice board of directors.

With an aging population, the demand for end-of-life will continue to grow.

For Chatham-Kent, who has more seniors, more chronic illness and more seniors living alone than the provincial average, funding for and access to hospice palliative care is very important.

“Hospice care across Ontario has most often been a community driven initiative, supported by local donors and volunteers. Chatham-Kent Hospice is no different. Our current annual funding does not cover our total operating budget. Additional funding will help close that gap but we will continue to rely on the support of our community to keep the heat on and the crock pot full,” said Jodi Maroney, director of development.

About Chatham-Kent Hospice:

The Chatham-Kent Hospice will be a 10-bed residential facility that will care for residents facing end of life and support their loved ones. The hospice will provide comfort, support and specialized pain and symptom management in a home-like setting. Around the clock care will be provided by dedicated physicians, nurses, personal support workers and volunteers. Construction will be complete by the end of March and Public Tours will be offered on Saturday, April 9 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and April 10 (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.).


– Photo from Facebook

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